Obama endorses Dianne Feinstein’s DOMA repeal

White House spokesman Jay Carney in his daily briefing said President Obama supports the repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. (see below).

Here’s Carney:

“I can tell you that the president has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people, our families, friends and neighbors. He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act, introduced by Senator Feinstein and Congressman Nadler, which would take DOMA off the books once and for all. This legislation would uphold the principle that the federal government should not deny gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protections as straight couples.”

Obama has been under pressure to take a stand on same-sex marriage, having earlier decided with Attorney General Eric Holder that the law is unconstitutional and to cease defending the statute in court. House Republicans have hired outside legal counsel to defend the law.

Rick Jacobs, chairman and founder of California’s Courage Campaign who appeared with Feinstein and three same-sex couples at a press conference this morning, said White House adviser Valerie Jarrett had given him a heads up. Here’s his statement:

“We are delighted that today, on the eve of a historic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, President Obama endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act. It is rare that a White House endorses a bill that has yet to pass first in either the Senate or the House. President Obama’s decision to do so underscores the urgency with which the Defense of Marriage Act must be repealed.

“Earlier this month, over 25,000 Courage Campaign members signed a letter asking the President to support this legislation. At a White House reception on June 29, the President indicated to me that he would endorse the bill. His exact words to me were, ‘I support repeal of DOMA. You know where I stand.’

“This morning, Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President, called me referring to my conversation with the president to say that today was the day and that Jay Carney would announce the White House’s support for the bill. The members of the Courage Campaign are thrilled.”

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., called Obama’s endorsement a “historic signal that momentum is growing to end the era of DOMA. Last year we finally repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, ending an era that one day will seem as antiquated as the days before President Truman desegregated the military. When we pass the Respect for Marriage Act, so too will the era of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act seem anachronistic in a country where we don’t believe there should be any second class citizens.”